The captain of the superyacht Bayesian, James Cutfield, is currently under investigation by Italian prosecutors for potential charges of manslaughter and shipwreck, according to judicial sources.
The 51-year-old New Zealander is facing scrutiny following the sinking of the yacht during a storm off the Sicilian coast last Monday. The incident led to the tragic loss of seven lives, including that of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch.
As reported by The Independent, an anonymous official confirmed the ongoing investigation, which was initially reported by Italian media. Cutfield was questioned by magistrates for the second time in a week, with the interrogation lasting over two hours. When asked about the storm that led to the catastrophe, Cutfield stated, We didnt see it coming.
In Italy, being placed under investigation does not necessarily imply guilt, nor does it guarantee that formal charges will follow. The investigation is ongoing amidst an outpouring of tributes for the victims of the disaster. Among the deceased were the owner of the British-flagged vessel, Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah Lynch, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judith Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Christopher Morvillo, and his wife Neda Morvillo.
Sasha Murray, the chief stewardess of the yacht who was among the 15 survivors, remembered Hannah Lynch as a diamond in a sea of stars. The tragedy has also brought to light Mike Lynch's plans to investigate the murder conviction of nurse Lucy Letby, due to concerns about its safety. Sir David Davis, former cabinet minister, revealed that Lynch had intended to spearhead an investigation into Letby's conviction, which has been questioned by several experts.
Sir David expressed his hope to visit Letby in prison as part of the investigation into the possibility of a miscarriage of justice. Letby is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences for seven murders and eight attempted murders of babies in her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.
Mike Lynch, often referred to as the 'Bill Gates of Britain', was the founder of Invoke Capital and Autonomy Corporation. He had recently been cleared of charges in a high-profile fraud case. The Bayesian, the yacht on which he was sailing when the disaster occurred, was designed to withstand any weather conditions, according to Franco Romani, a nautical architect who was part of the design team.
Romani suggested in an interview that the yacht likely took on water from a side hatch that was left open, and that the crew underestimated the severity of the storm. He emphasized that all openings should have been secured and the anchor removed before the storm hit.
Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among those initially unaccounted for after the Bayesian sank. Following a five-day operation, Italian authorities announced a manslaughter investigation into the deaths of seven people. Prior to the disaster, Lynch had invited his close friends, colleagues, and legal team aboard his boat to celebrate his acquittal in an $11bn fraud case.
The tragic incident has left a profound impact on the tech industry and beyond. The investigation into Captain Cutfield continues, shedding light on the importance of safety measures and preparedness in the face of unpredictable weather conditions. The loss of Mike Lynch, a significant figure in the tech world, and the other victims of the disaster, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life, even amidst celebrations of victory and survival.
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